By Keith Idec
NEW YORK – Andre Ward has sensed vulnerability in Sergey Kovalev since their fight ended November 19.
Kovalev’s behavior, particularly the shots he has taken at Ward on social media, has made Ward view the former light heavyweight champion differently than before they entered the ring nearly five months ago in Las Vegas. Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) likened Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KOs) to a bully who’s used to getting his way, but doesn’t know how to react now that he has lost for the first time.
Russia’s Kovalev has taken issue with everything from the judges’ scorecards – all three of which accounted for Ward winning, 114-113 – to Ward contemplating retirement, to Ward taking more time than Kovalev felt was necessary to sign a contract to ensure their rematch. Among other things, Kovalev has called Ward “Son of Judges,” a play on Ward’s actual nickname, “Son of God,” and threatened to end his career since Ward won their 12-round fight at T-Mobile Arena.
“I’ve learned more about this man in the last four months than I ever could in a 12-round fight,” Ward said earlier this week before a press conference in Manhattan. “You learn about a man when adversity hits. And I’m not saying that he can’t have an opinion about [the decision]. But the way he’s going about it, I just sit back and I just watch and I take note. It’s some weakness there. It’s some holes there. And we’re gonna tap into that June 17th.”
Ward’s trainer, Virgil Hunter, and manager, James Prince, took shots at a vocal Kovalev during a three-day, three-city press tour this week to promote their June 17 fight at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas (HBO Pay-Per-View). Ward, however, has refrained from personally insulting Kovalev and making accusations about him.
The former undisputed super middleweight champion dismissed Kovalev’s controversial theory that Ward will claim he has an injury and pull out of their rematch a week or two before it’s supposed to take place.
“Guys, listen, I could say a lot of things about him,” Ward said. “I could throw a lot of things against the wall and see if it sticks. I have a track record. This isn’t my first rodeo. Like I’m not getting caught up in that. You’ve gotta see me June 17th. Let’s simplify it. You’ve gotta see me June 17th. You got what you asked for. And like I told him, leave the excuses at home this time.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
